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FIH RELEASE OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, 19 JANUARY 2008

The Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has released the match schedule for Great Britain’s crucial Olympic Qualifiers at the beginning of March. The six team tournament which will take place in Santiago, Chile, between 1-9 March, will provide GB with their last opportunity to qualify for the Beijing Olympics later this year – but with only one place available, they face a tough task.

The Brits have arguably the weaker of the three qualifying groups and will face Mexico (ranked =28th in the world), India (ranked 9th), Bangladesh (ranked =28th), Chile (ranked 20th) and Austria (ranked 25th). Great Britain does not have an official ranking, but England, as the nominated country for GB, has a world standing of 8th.

They will open their campaign against two sides who share the world’s 28th spot – Mexico on 1 March and Bangladesh on 2 March – and Great Britain will be looking to get two good wins under their belt before they face the hosts, Chile, on 4 March. They then go into what will perhaps be their toughest task when they face India in a clash of the titans on Thursday 6 March. Austria will be their last group game before the classification games on Sunday 9th when Great Britain will be hoping to play in the final at 2100hrs (GMT) for that all important top spot and a ticket to Beijing.

WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier

1-9 March 2008, Santiago, Chile

Time shown in bold = local time. Non bold = GMT.

Chile = -3hrs GMT.

Saturday 1 March

1430

1730

Great Britain

v

Mexico

1630

1930

India

v

Bangladesh

1900

2200

Chile

v

Austria

Sunday 2 March

1500

1800

Great Britain

v

Bangladesh

1700

2000

Austria

v

India

1900

2200

Mexico

v

Chile

Monday 3 March

Rest Day

Tuesday 4 March

1530

1830

Mexico

v

India

1730

2030

Austria

v

Bangladesh

1930

2230

Chile

v

Great Britain

Wednesday 5 March

Rest Day

Thursday 6 March

1400

1700

India

v

Great Britain

1730

2030

Austria

v

Mexico

1930

2230

Bangladesh

v

Chile

Friday 7 March

Rest Day

Saturday 8 March

1500

1800

Great Britain

v

Austria

1700

2000

Bangladesh

v

Mexico

1900

2200

Chile

v

India

Sunday 9 March

1300

1600

5th

v

6th

1530

1830

3rd

v

4th

1800

2100

1st

v

2nd

WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier Groups

World ranking in brackets

North Shore City, New Zealand, 2-10 February

France (16th)

Ireland (19th)

New Zealand (10th)

Trinidad & Tobago (24th)

Argentina (7th)

USA (27th)

Santiago, Chile , 1-9 March

Great Britain (*8th)

Mexico (=28th)

India (9th)

Bangladesh (=28th)

Chile (20th)

Austria (25th)

* England, as the nominated country for Great Britain, is ranked 8th. GB does not have an official ranking.